Lottery jackpot hits Sh69.5 billion

A customer fills out a Mega Millions lottery ticket at a convenience store in Northbrook, Ill., on Jan. 6, 2021. The holiday shopping season, for Mega Millions lottery ticket buyers, at least, is ramping up as officials say the estimated jackpot for the drawing the night of Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, has surpassed half a billion dollars. [File, AP]

The holiday shopping season - for Mega Millions lottery ticket buyers, at least - is ramping up as officials say the estimated jackpot for Tuesday night's drawing has surpassed half a billion dollars.

As of late Monday, lottery officials estimate Tuesday's prize at $565 million (Sh69.5 billion) - or more than $293 million (Sh36 billion) if delivered in cash - after there were no lucky winners holding a ticket that matched all six numbers in the last drawing held on Friday.